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Arizona releases less COVID-19 data than many other states. That could be changing soon

Several states provide heat maps by zip code or city, showing where identified cases of the virus are most prevalent.

But in Arizona, the state health data about coronavirus cases that is publicly provided seems to be just above the bare minimum, based on an analysis by The Arizona Republic of COVID-19 data released daily by state health departments in each state and Washington, D.C.

Hospitals now must report daily to the state several new statistics related to positive or suspected COVID-19 patients.

Those include the:

Number of inpatients.

Number of ventilators in use.

Number of intensive care beds in use.

Number discharged from the facility per day.

Number seen in the emergency department per day.

Number of intubations performed per day for respiratory distress.

Estimated number of N95 masks, surgical masks, face shields and surgical gowns used per day.

Publicly reported data inform people’s understanding of the virus, how it is playing out and how they can make the best decisions for themselves, their families and their communities.

The new coronavirus, which causes COVID-19, has spread quickly. It’s a new virus, meaning the manner of its spread is being tracked in real time. That presents challenges for health officials, who are responsible for managing how the state responds to the virus, and for everyday people, who are trying to figure out how to stay safe.

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Your best defense against the coronavirus is to wash your hands. But are you doing it right?
Arizona Republic

But a number of other states disclose additional information Arizona does not. This includes hospitalization and intensive care unit numbers, deaths by county, cases by ZIP code or city, cases by race and ethnicity, recovered cases and breakdowns of how people got infected.

There are two data points in particular the majority of states provide but Arizona does not: hospitalization numbers and deaths by county. Instead, some counties are individually reporting the number of deaths and hospitalization numbers, while most are releasing little information.

Thirty-five states show hospitalization data on their COVID-19 dashboards and 33 states provide the number of deaths in each county. Arizona’s state dashboard has neither of those points of information.

Trying to compile the information county-by-county proves difficult. The Republic requested hospitalization rates from all 15 counties last week. Eleven counties provided the information, three said they didn’t have the information, and one, Yuma County, declined to provide it.

Even counties are having trouble figuring out these numbers. Pinal County spokesman James Daniels told The Republic last week that 11% of positive cases were hospitalized, 30% were not hospitalized and the county was unsure about the other 59% because of communication gaps between the state-reported information and cases counties are tracking.

In terms of county death numbers, larger counties such as Maricopa, Pima and Coconino report daily death updates. But most other counties do not, making it difficult to understand in which counties the state’s deaths — counted at 73 on Tuesday — happened.

Nine states provide daily case breakdowns by race and ethnicity. Arizona does not do this, either. The New York Times reported that the coronavirus is disproportionately killing African-Americans due to disparities in health resources and access to care. The statistics are preliminary but based on state and city data. Arizona’s data on race and ethnicity remains unknown.

Several states provide downloadable raw data spreadsheets with day-by-day case information. Many have interactive ArcGIS dashboards showing cases across the state. Washington, D.C., provides information on case numbers for public safety and human services personnel. Louisiana, Oregon and North Carolina show numbers on ventilator use.

New Hampshire lists the number of people being monitored for COVID-19 as well as specific places people visited while infected. Ohio and South Carolina present forecast models and projections for how the virus may continue to spread in the states. And North Carolina shows how many outbreaks there are in nursing homes, residential care facilities and correctional facilities.

Other states have struggled to compile comprehensive, statewide data. In California, for instance, individual counties are providing more detailed information while the state dashboard has minimal information. The New York Times described a lengthy process to compile an adequate picture of California’s cases using city and county data, which varied widely in terms of breadth and format.

Arizona to expand data disclosure

Dr. Cara Christ, the Arizona Department of Health Services director, announced Tuesday the state’s case dashboard on Sunday will expand with more data.

“This data will allow us to better prepare for our peak in cases and it will help us identify a better recovery rate for Arizonans affected by this disease,” Christ said.

The state’s dashboard should include more information than it has so far, Christ said, such as enhanced location data for confirmed cases, more information on deaths and more information on supply distribution. It’s not immediately clear what additional data from the executive order will be added Sunday to the dashboard.

The state doesn’t have the number of those who have recovered from COVID-19 because if the person was tested at a commercial lab and didn’t require follow-up care, their outcome isn’t known, Christ said. Later, the state will match cases against data on deaths, which could assess how many recovered from the illness, she said.

“There’s not a great way to look at what a definition of recovered is,” Christ said.

Eleven states report the number of “recovered” cases or people not required to be isolated on their data dashboards.

Will Humble, executive director of the Arizona Public Health Association, said Ducey's new executive order should help with data collection and, ideally, public reporting. Behind the scenes, the data can help health officials understand where support is needed and which hospitals could be reaching capacity. Now that it’s clear the state will have this information, there’s probably more benefit than risk in reporting it publicly in a non-identifiable way, he said.

Publicly reporting aggregate information, such as hospitalizations and recoveries, helps people make decisions on how to live their lives, but it also contributes more broadly to a sense of public trust, said Humble, who previously served as director of the state health department. If the public trusts their officials and the information they’re receiving, they’re more likely to listen when officials ask for behavior changes such as social distancing, he said.

“I think it’s valuable in the sense that the public appreciates and deserves transparency from the people that they elect and the appointees that work for them,” Humble said.chri

Balancing disclosure with privacy

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A visitor takes a photo at the Grand Canyon Friday, May 15, 2020, in Grand Canyon, Ariz. Tourists are once again roaming portions of Â Grand Canyon National Park when it partially reopened Friday morning, despite objections that the action could exacerbate the coronavirus pandemic. Matt York, AP

Matthew Garcia, owner of Arizona Bio-Fogging Disinfection Services, uses a propane powered bio-fogger to disinfect the Jabz Boxing studio at 3136 E. Indian School Road in Phoenix, as the boxing fitness center for women prepares to reopen following their closure in mid March because of the COVID-19 pandemic, on May 14, 2020. David Wallace/The Republic

Greg Neises, a bartender, wipes down the bar after serving a guest at the Hotel Valley Ho in Scottsdale on May 22, 2020. With demand starting to pick back up at the Hotel Valley Ho, the hotel has implemented procedures such as partitions, limiting capacity and having staff wear masks during the COVID-19 pandemic. David Wallace/The Republic

Actor Sean Penn records a video on a community member's phone at a food distribution point before the start of a weekend-long curfew in Coyote Canyon, New Mexico, on the Navajo Nation on May 15, 2020. David Wallace/The Republic

Volunteer Tuqa Alfatlawi, help Muslim community mostly from Syria, during the Food distribution at the Islamic Community Center of Phoenix. Families in need came for a drive-through service due to coronavirus for safety. Nick Oza/The Republic

Parishioners attend Mass at St. Luke Catholic Church in Phoenix May 17, 2020. The church resumed services limited to 25% capacity after state restrictions due to the coronavirus were allowed to expire. Michael Chow/The Republic

Tubers float down the Salt River during the COVID-19 pandemic in Mesa, Ariz. on May 16, 2020. Arizona Governor Doug Ducey lifted his stay-at-home order Friday, the 15, and the day after Salt River Tubing reopened with some guidelines in place to promote safety during the pandemic. Thomas Hawthorne/The Republic

Erin Walter, from left, Angelica Kenrick and Sheri Rearick, all with the Professional Beauty Association, participate in an online work meeting at Kenrick's home in Phoenix on May 14, 2020. Walter and Rearick surprised Kenrick on her birthday by coming to her home, to work from home. The three employees had not seen each other in weeks. David Wallace/The Republic

May 12, 2020; Scottsdale, Arizona, USA; No spectators allowed signs at the club house during round one at the Scottsdale AZ Open at Talking Stick Golf Club's OÕodham course. This is the first semi-significant sports event to take place in the Valley since the sports shutdown in March due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports Rob Schumacher, Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports

Lo-Lo's Chicken & Waffles offers dine in services after more than a month of take out only due to COVID-19 in Phoenix, Ariz. on May 11, 2020. Many restaurants around Arizona began reopening dining services as Arizona Governor Doug Ducey lifted some restrictions under the COVID-19 lock down. Thomas Hawthorne/The Republic

From left, Kiaya Stearns, Cae Stearns, Heather Stears and Landen Stearns wave to their grandparents above, Harry and Jeanne Sharkey, during a drive-by Mother's Day parade at LivGenerations, a senior-living community in Ahwatukee, on May 10, 2020. Seeing their grandparents' reaction to the parade said it all, they said. "It felt amazing," Heather Stearns said. Eli Imadali/The Republic

Sarah Lawrence gets tested for COVID-19 by a Dignity Health medical worker at a drive-up testing site at State Farm Stadium from Dignity Health and the Arizona Cardinals in Glendale on Saturday, May 9, 2020. Eli Imadali/The Republic

Dignity Health medical workers Stephanie Tyrin and Shannon Miller relax in between patients at a drive-up coronavirus testing site at State Farm Stadium from Dignity Health and the Arizona Cardinals in Glendale on Saturday, May 9, 2020. Eli Imadali/The Republic

From left, manager David Grady and owner Mimi Nguyen do mother and daughter customers Tonna and Elaina Yutze's nails at AZ Nails Spa 101 near the P83 Entertainment District in Peoria on May 8, 2020. Eli Imadali/The Republic

Demonstrators listen to speakers during a rally for the governor to open the state at Wesley Bolin Plaza in Phoenix. Organizers of the event say that quarantine is for the sick and not the healthy. May 3, 2020. Michael Chow/The Republic

Jets with Luke Air Force Base and the Arizona National Guard fly over the valley near Luke Air Force base to honor people fighting on the front lines of the COVID-19 virus in Ariz. on May 1, 2020. Thomas Hawthorne, Thomas Hawthorne/The Republic

Healthcare professionals take a selfie outside Valleywise Health Medical Center as they wait for a flyover from the Arizona National Guard to honor essential workers in Phoenix, Ariz. on May 1, 2020. Patrick Breen/The Republic

Quyen Bach (left) and Chris French have their photos taken by Kim Ly at Papago Park in Phoenix on April 29, 2020. Both are graduating from A.T. Still University Arizona School of Dentistry. Michael Chow/The Republic

A health care worker stands in counter protest as people march towards the Arizona State Capitol in protest of Gov. Doug Ducey's stay-at-home order to combat the coronavirus April 20, 2020. They were urging the governor to re-open the state. Michael Chow/The Republic

The copper dome and Winged Victory statue over the Arizona State Capitol is illuminated with blue light in Phoenix during the "Light It Blue" campaign across the United States to honor essential front-line workers and health care professionals during the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. Rob Schumacher/The Republic

Bruce Forstrom, a volunteer with United Food Bank, prepares emergency food bags at the United Food Bank warehouse in Mesa on April 16, 2020. Despite the increased need because of the coronavirus pandemic, United Food Bank has seen an over 60 percent decrease in volunteers, also because of the pandemic, according to Tyson Nansel, United Food Bank director of public and media relations. David Wallace/The Republic

James Smith, with Balfour, the company that sells graduations caps and gowns, hands a cap, gown and grad box which includes graduation mailing announcements, to a Skyline high school graduating senior as they pick them up from their vehicle at Skyline high school in Mesa on April 14, 2020. Tom Brennan, principal of Skyline, says he is unsure what kind of graduation ceremony they will have, if any at all, because of the coronavirus pandemic. David Wallace/The Republic

Frances Rozzen, wearing a mask because of the coronavirus pandemic, looks at the near empty shelves of toilet paper and paper towels at the Safeway grocery store on 16th Street and Southern Avenue in Phoenix on April 13, 2020. David Wallace/The Republic

Kathy Jacobsen signals to her mother, Audrey Wilson, 80, who has dementia, through the glass pane of a door, at Arbor Rose Senior Center in Mesa on April 1, 2020. Jacobsen was taking her mother out of the facility because of concerns of a coronavirus outbreak within the facility. She is moving her mother in with her at her Gilbert home. Jacobsen had not be able to visit her mother inside the facility because of the coronavirus pandemic since early March. David Wallace/The Republic

Charlie and Stacy Derouen raise their hands as they listen to Pastor Jason Anderson during an Easter drive-in service at the Living World Bible Church in Mesa, Ariz. on April 12, 2020. Patrick Breen/The Republic

Apr. 10, 2020; Phoenix, AZ, USA; A cross tops the steeple at Dream City Church in Phoenix during the sunrise on Good Friday. Most churches across the United States will be empty on Easter Sunday due to the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. Rob Schumacher/The Republic

Bryan Harding, who works in real estate, works on his front porch in the Maple-Ash neighborhood of Tempe on April 9, 2020. Harding says he likes to work outside because it gives him his own space while his wife works inside. Eli Imadali/The Republic

People at Living Word Bible Church attend a "drive-in church service" in Mesa, Ariz. April 5, 2020. The coronavirus pandemic has forced churches to come up with new ways to hold service while social distancing. People are encouraged to honk for amen. Michael Chow/The Republic

Zacona Michaux hands out lunches at Edison Elementary School in Mesa on April 9, 2020. Mesa school district is having trouble getting food supplies and is having to scale back on meal distribution. Edison elementary meal site is closing effective April 10. Starting April 13 meals can be picked up a Kino Junior High (Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays).
Cheryl Evans/The Republic

Haim Ainsworth and his son, Jacob Shapiro-Ainsworth, 11, share a laugh during an online Seder during the first night of the Jewish holiday of Passover at their home in Tempe on April 8, 2020. The Seder which included members from Temple Emanuel was being held online because of the coronavirus pandemic. David Wallace/The Republic

Apr. 7, 2020; Phoenix, AZ, USA; The supermoon, also known as the pink moon rises over the Papago Park Buttes, it is the biggest and brightest supermoon of 2020. The coronavirus has changed our lives as social distancing is in our lives Rob Schumacher/The Republic

Dikeya Williams stands for a portrait outside Safeway in Phoenix on April 5, 2020. She's worn her mask, complete with a stapled on image of teeth with grillz and fangs, for two weeks and works as a child care director and provider. Eli Imadali/The Republic

Dee Madden has her hair washed at The Savvy Stylist on a quiet Friday afternoon at the Tempe hair salon on April 3, 2020, just before Gov. Doug Ducey ordered hair and nail salons to be shut down by 5 p.m. on Saturday. Many people are avoiding hair care during the new coronavirus pandemic due to its hands-on nature. Eli Imadali/The Republic

Colton Williams with Crescent Crown Distributing, delivers beer to Tops Liquors in Tempe, Ariz., on April 2, 2020. Tops Liquors has seen an 40 percent increase in sales in the last two weeks. Cheryl Evans/The Republic

The City of Phoenix closes park amenities due to the COVID-19 health crisis on the first day of Gov. Doug Ducey's "stay at home" order at Steele Indian School Park in Phoenix. Rob Schumacher/The Republic

Gov. Doug Ducey listens to speakers on COVID-19 during a news conference at the Arizona Commerce Authority in Phoenix March 30, 2020. Gov. Ducey issued a stay at home order effective close of business March 31. Michael Chow/The Republic

U.S. Army National Guard specialist Frank Rezzano and U.S. Air Force technical sergeant Justin Emanuelson stock shelves at Basha's grocery store in Scottsdale on March 28, 2020. Eli Imadali/The Republic

Adam Hansen, a doctor from Redirect Health in Glendale, takes a swab from a patient in a drive-thru to test for flu and coronavirus on March 25, 2020. Medicare and some insurance plans will cover the testing (with normal co-pays and deductibles) or there is a $49 self-pay option. Experts say it's important to get a test inside the first 48 hours of symptoms starting. Nick Oza/The Republic

Medical assistant Mary Hermiz checks a sample from a patient at a Glendale drive-thru that tests for flu and coronavirus on March 25, 2020. Medicare and some insurance plans will cover the testing (with normal co-pays and deductibles) or there is a $49 self-pay option. Experts say it's important to get a test inside the first 48 hours of symptoms starting. Nick Oza/The Republic

Emily Miles has her temperature taken before being allowed to donate blood at a temporary blood bank set up in a church's fellowship hall Tuesday, March 24, 2020, in Tempe, Ariz. Schools and businesses that typically host blood drives are temporarily closed due to precautionary measures in place to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus leading to extremely low levels of blood availability throughout the state. Matt York, AP

Banner UMC’s drive-up system in Tucson is for emergency room triage for a variety of illnesses and is not for random testing for COVID-19. It has been put in place to keep crowds from the ER and protect the health of patients and staff. Josh Galemore/Arizona Daily Star

Sheena Williams of Nature's Medicines announcing to keep a distance from each other from long lines for people who are in need with their medical card. Because of the new law on gathering, they were allowing five people at the time, and everyone was keeping a distance from themselves to get their Medicine. Nick Oza/The Republic

Individuals are tested for COVID-19, also known as the coronavirus at a mobile clinic set up in the parking lot at the Mayo Clinic Hospital in Phoenix on the morning of March 18, 2020. Only Mayo Clinic patients with a doctor's order could use the mobile clinic. A slow but steady stream of vehicles was passing through the mobile clinic on Wednesday morning. David Wallace/The Republic

Mar. 18, 2020; Grand Canyon National Park, AZ, USA; Two Taiwanese tourists wear N-95 masks while taking in the view at Mather Point at Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. Due to the coronavirus COVID-19, park entrance fees are suspended, shuttle bus service is suspended and visitor centers are closed. Rob Schumacher/The Republic

A sign announces that Major League Baseball has suspended the 2020 spring training season, this is in response to the COVID-19 virus health emergency on March 13, 2020 at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick in Scottsdale. Rob Schumacher/The Republic

While the public is hungry for as much information as possible about cases and outcomes in Arizona, there are privacy and confidentiality concerns to weigh when disclosing health information, said Leila Barraza, a professor at the University of Arizona’s Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health.

“There are definitely considerations to releasing certain information if there's any way it could be traced back to somebody as identifiable,” Barraza said.

Laws such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, state confidentiality laws and internal policies may apply to what information can be released and by whom, she said.

Eight states provide numbers drilled down by ZIP code or city. In Arizona, several city, county and state officials filed a lawsuit Friday asking the state to release general coronavirus data to local authorities and the public. The lawsuit asked that “all prior general and non-personally identifiable information” be released, such as the number of positive COVID-19 cases and deaths by ZIP code and date.

Even with ZIP codes, there are different contexts to consider: Releasing information by ZIP code in an urban area may not be identifiable, but in areas with lower populations with fewer cases, it may be, Barraza said.

“Individual ZIP codes might not be advantageous to the public because it's already widespread,” Barraza said.